Democrat John Whitmire Elected Houston Mayor

FILE - Houston mayoral candidate state Sen. John Whitmire answers a question during a televised candidates debate held at the Houston Public Media studios Oct. 19, 2023, in Houston.

Houston elected Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire as its next mayor on Saturday night, elevating a Texas lawmaker who has represented the city for 50 years by giving him a victory over U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in a runoff.